Fire-escape



(No Model.)

I. L. STOVER. FIRE ESCAPE.,

N0`l 283,038. Patented Aug. 14,1883.

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* I UNITED STATES e T o @ZZ whom t mag/concern.-

PATENT GEEICE.

IsAAo L. sTovEE, or CENTEALIA, ILLINoIs.

`FIRE-l-:SCAPi-z.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 283,038, dated August `14, 1883.

` Application filed March 15, 1.883. (No model.)

Be it known that I, ISAAC -L. ISTOVER, a citizenr of the United States, residing at Cen- I tralia, in the county of Marion and State of drawings.

Illinois, have .invented a new and useful Fire- Escape, of which the following `is a specifica tion, reference being had to the accompanying This invention relates to lire-escapes of that class in which aladder `is arranged to be thrown from a window to afford a means for escape to the ground.

The invention has for its object to provide a simple, inexpensive, and efficient ladder of this class possessing superior advantages in the construction and arrangement of parts.

In the drawings,'Figure l is a perspective l view of my improved ladder in position for use. Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail transverse sectional View taken through one of the rungs. Fig. 4 is a detail view' in perspective, illustrating the mannerA in which the ropes or strands are se- I. to encircle the rungs, as shown at D, and arel f cured to the rungs. Fig. 5 is a detail sectional 25 view, showing the asbestus or fire-proof covering or coat ofthe parts of the ladder.l

' Referring to the drawings, A designates the rungs ofthe ladder, and B B the ropes or strands which connect the rungs together. The rungs `are preferably formed `of wood,-and are provided with `circumferential grooves C near their ends, in which the ropes B are arranged tied in a single knot, E, after which another `loop, F, is taken around the rung, all as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings. This method of cone necting the ropes to the rungs secures the latlighter' than if constructed of metal;A and can ,slipping of the same outof position.

ter rmly in position and obviates possible The ropes B are preferably not metallic, but are to be constructed of hemp or other 'such material, which admits of greater iieXibility and allows the ladder to be folded or rolled up into a` I much smaller space when out of use than if the strands B were formed of iieXiblewire. These fibrous ropes and wooden rungs are also much `be more easily transported; but, being. of a combustible nature, they are provided with a coat or covering of asbestus or other fire-proof cumferential grooves G near the ends,

`so that the disk is secured against the end of material, G, as plainly shown in Fig. 5 of the drawings. 'Y e,

H designates thin metallic wheels or disks, that are journaled at the ends of the rungs on pins or screws I, extending into the latter. These wheels serve to hold the ladder the proper distance from. the wall of the building, and, by being journaled and capable of turning, will not mar or `damage the wall in any way by friction against the same. They also serve to retain the ropes on the rungs should they accidentally become displaced from the grooves G. The top rung of the ladder is provided with grooves J J at its ends, in which are received rings or collars K, to which are secured chainsL, having hooks Mat their top ends. The top ends of these chains are `adapted to be passed through rings N, that swing on the end of screw-bolts O, placed in the wall of the building, on the outside or inside of the window, and tobe brought down and hooked into one of the links of the chain,

. as shown, to secure the ladder in position.

The operation and advantages of" this improved ladder are obvious. It is also, understood that it is useful, since it does not in any way mar the appearance of the building, in

painting, building, repairing, and for other purposes.

I claim as my inventionl. As an improved article of manufacture, the herein-described escape-ladder, comprising `the rungs having the same diameter through out their length, and provided with the cirthe ropes B B, tied in the single knot F in the grooves,

-and having another loop taken around the rung, and theflat disks H, secured to the ends of the rungs by the screws or pins passing the latter and has its bearing on the screws, the said disks alsoserving to retain the ropes around the rung should they become disengaged from the slot, as set forth.

2. The combination, in a flexible ladder, with the rungs, of the ropes or strands for connecting the same, arranged encircling the rungs near their ends and tied, another outsideloop being also formed around the rungs, whereby Ico the latter are secured irinly in position7 as set In testimony that I claim they foregoing as forth. my oWn I have hereto afxed my signature in Io 3. The combination of the rungs having the presence of two Witnesses. grooves neartheir ends7 the ropes or vstrands 5 secured in the said grooves7 and the Wheels or ISAAC L STOVER disks journaled at the ends of the rungs on Witnesses: pins or screws extending` into the end of the JAMES R. GAsKEY,

rung, as set forth. HARLEY S. SHERWooD. 

